Designing in the Wild: The Industrial Design Podcast

Robert Irwin
  • 4.0 (3)
  • Design
  • Updated Weekly

Designing in the Wild is the podcast where industrial designers, inventors, and changemakers reveal how they turn messy, real-world constraints into market-ready solutions. Each episode unpacks the mindsets, methods, and aha-moments behind sustainable innovation—whether it’s re-thinking plastics, hacking circular supply chains, or simply sketching faster under pressure. If you’re passionate about design’s role in a resilient future (and can’t resist a good behind-the-scenes story), this is your campfire. “Real-world design stories for a world that needs better ones.”

  1. 1d ago

    Inside Apple's iMac: Material Science, Circular Design & Smart Surfaces with John Skabardonis | S3E5

    What does it take to create an iconic product like Apple's original translucent iMac? And how can the materials behind yesterday's design breakthroughs help shape a more sustainable future? In this episode of Designing In The Wild, host Robert Irwin sits down with John Skabardonis, material scientist, chemist, and founder of Optimist Consulting, for a fascinating conversation at the intersection of industrial design, material innovation, and circularity. John takes us behind the scenes of developing the colorful translucent polycarbonate used in Apple's original iMac, including a remarkable story about Steve Jobs, Jony Ive, and the pursuit of a computer that looked good enough to lick. From there, we explore the challenges and opportunities of designing products for a circular economy. John shares insights from his decades in material science, including the realities of mechanical and chemical recycling, the growing problem of electronic waste, and why designing for repair, upgrades, and disassembly matters more than ever. We also look toward the future of smart surfaces and functional integration, where electronics, tactile feedback, lighting, and interactive controls can become seamlessly embedded into the materials around us. Along the way, we discuss innovations in AI-powered plastic sorting, the promise of local recycling systems, and the increasingly important role industrial designers play in shaping material decisions. In this episode, we explore: The untold material development story behind Apple's translucent iMacHow dyes, pigments, and polycarbonate influence product appearance and longevityMechanical versus chemical recycling and the challenges of scaling circular materialsE-waste, product recovery, and designing for disassemblyRight to repair, right to upgrade, and modular product architectureAI-powered recycling and the surprising role of sound in sorting plasticsSmart surfaces, Shy Tech, and in-mold structural electronicsWhy material selection should begin early in the industrial design processWhether you're an industrial designer, engineer, material scientist, or simply curious about how the products around us are made, this conversation offers a deeper appreciation for the science behind design—and the opportunities ahead. Explore more from John Skabardonis: Optimist Consulting: https://optimistconsulting.biz Tech Nuggets Newsletter: Search "Tech Nuggets" on LinkedIn Subscribe to Designing In The Wild for more conversations exploring design, technology, sustainability, and the people shaping our future. Have ideas or just want to say hi, shoot me a note. Support the show

    Inside Apple's iMac: Material Science, Circular Design & Smart Surfaces with John Skabardonis | S3E5

  2. Oct 14

    Designing for Joy: Finding Meaning in Industrial Design with Daniela Garcia | S3E04

    What if the products we design could do more than solve problems? What if they could actually make people happier? In this episode of Designing in the Wild, Rob sits down with industrial designer Daniela Garcia to explore the intersection of creativity, curiosity, technology, and the often-overlooked role of joy in the design process. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Daniela shares her journey into industrial design, from her early fascination with how everyday objects work to studying at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and building a career in consumer product development. We explore what it means to be a young designer in an evolving industry, including the importance of building community, developing professional relationships, and learning to collaborate across disciplines and cultures. Daniela also shares her experience helping revitalize Boston's IDSA chapter and creating opportunities for designers to connect. From quick cardboard prototypes to AI-assisted visualization, we get into the tools and techniques Daniela uses to move ideas forward. We discuss the power of CMF (Color, Material, and Finish) in shaping consumer perception, how AI can accelerate creative workflows without replacing design thinking, and why getting your hands dirty is still an essential part of the process. The conversation also takes us outdoors, exploring Daniela's love of birdwatching and how nature provides an incredible library of inspiration for form, color, proportion, and intuitive design. But perhaps the most compelling part of our conversation is Daniela's philosophy of designing for joy. She believes the objects we surround ourselves with should contribute to our well-being, reduce unnecessary stress, and encourage a more intentional relationship with the things we own. We close by discussing her wellness initiative, Shanti, and how small, accessible habits can help people lead healthier, happier lives. In this episode, we explore: Finding your path into industrial designBuilding community and professional networks through IDSACollaborating across cultures and disciplinesThe value of low-fidelity prototyping and hands-on experimentationUsing AI, Vizcom, Figma, and other tools in the design processCMF strategy and creating products that stand outFinding design inspiration in nature and biomimicryDesigning for emotional connection, happiness, and longevityBuilding healthier habits through Daniela's wellness initiative, ShantiWhether you're an aspiring industrial designer, an experienced creative professional, or simply curious about how the things around us shape our daily experiences, this conversation is a reminder that thoughtful design can bring a little more joy into the world. Welcome to Season 3 of Designing in the Wild. Connect with Daniela: Instagram: @danielagcreate Explore Shanti Wellness: Instagram: @shantiwellnesslife Follow Designing in the Wild: Instagram: @DesigningInTheWildPod YouTube: Designing in the Wild Have ideas or just want to say hi, shoot me a note. Support the show

    Designing for Joy: Finding Meaning in Industrial Design with Daniela Garcia | S3E04

  3. Oct 7

    Industrial Design, AI & the Business of Design with Jordan Nollman | S3E03

    What does it take to build a career in industrial design—and then turn that experience into a successful design consultancy? In this episode of Designing in the Wild, Rob sits down with Jordan Nollman, founder and CEO of Sprout, to talk about industrial design from both sides of the table: as a designer building a career and as a business owner hiring talent, finding clients, and growing a multidisciplinary studio. Jordan shares his perspective on what he actually looks for in a designer’s portfolio, why great work still comes first, and how persistence, networking, and simply putting yourself out there helped shape his own career. From there, the conversation moves into the business of design. Jordan talks candidly about growing Sprout from its industrial design roots into a studio spanning strategy, branding, UX, visualization, engineering, and more—and some of the lessons learned along the way, including retainers, equity deals, client relationships, and the challenge of communicating what a multidisciplinary consultancy actually does. Rob and Jordan also dig into the changing practice of industrial design: collaborating with engineering, designing for real-world manufacturing constraints, demonstrating the ROI of design, sustainability, and how AI is beginning to change the speed and capabilities of the design process without replacing the thinking behind it. In this episode: • What design leaders actually look for in a portfolio • Breaking into industrial design and building your network • Growing a multidisciplinary design consultancy • Finding clients and developing long-term relationships • Retainers, royalties, equity, and lessons learned the hard way • Industrial design + engineering collaboration • Balancing aesthetics, function, cost, and manufacturability • AI as a tool for designers—not a substitute for design thinking • Sustainability and lifecycle thinking • Why there’s still no shortcut for learning your craft Jordan’s closing advice brings the conversation back to something remarkably simple: do what you love, get good at it, and put in the work. Welcome to Season 3 of Designing in the Wild. Have ideas or just want to say hi, shoot me a note. Support the show

  4. Sep 30

    How to Do Better Design Research with Jill Bohaboy | S3E02

    What separates useful design research from simply asking people what they want? In this episode of Designing in the Wild, Rob sits down with longtime friend and colleague Jill Bohaboy, owner of Trek Solutions, to explore the craft of consumer and design research, and how better observation, better questions, and a willingness to explore can uncover needs people may not be able to articulate themselves. Jill brings years of experience conducting research across an enormous range of industries and product categories. Together, Jill and Rob revisit some of the research they've conducted over the years and unpack the methods behind it—from observational research and shop-alongs to qualitative interviews, quantitative studies, co-creation, and hands-on "build-it" sessions. They also get into one of the biggest challenges in research: bias. How do you ask questions without steering the answer? How do you identify the right people to speak with? And how do you get beyond what someone says to understand what their behavior is actually telling you? For designers and smaller teams, Jill also makes an important case that meaningful research doesn't necessarily require a Fortune 500 budget. Sometimes it starts by simply getting out from behind the computer, watching people interact with the world, and asking a thoughtful question. In this episode: • Qualitative vs. quantitative research • Observation and contextual research • Finding latent needs and compensating behaviors • Co-creation and "build-it" sessions • Avoiding bias and asking better questions • Recruiting the right research participants • Bringing clients into the research process • Conducting useful research on a limited budget • Turning consumer insight into better products As Jill puts it: don't let research become a roadblock—let it become a launch pad. Welcome back to Designing in the Wild, Season 3. Have ideas or just want to say hi, shoot me a note. Support the show

    How to Do Better Design Research with Jill Bohaboy | S3E02

  5. Season 3, Episode 1 Trailer

    We're BACK! Industrial Design, Biomimicry & More: Designing in the Wild Season 3 (Trailer) | S3E01

    Designing in the Wild is back for Season 3 — and this time, we're going video. This season, I'm sitting down with designers, researchers, biomimicry experts, sustainability consultants, software modelers, design directors, manufacturing professionals, and other people doing genuinely interesting work across the design world. We'll get into everything from industrial design and manufacturing to Rhino and Grasshopper, biomimicry, sustainability, emerging tools, design leadership, and the realities of building things in the real world. I've spent more than 20 years working as an end-to-end industrial designer, on projects ranging from Amazon's smart shopping carts to net-zero tiny homes and consumer products. Designing in the Wild is my opportunity to step outside my own practice and learn from people with different perspectives, disciplines, and experiences — and bring those conversations back to the wider design community. The goal is simple: useful conversations with interesting people that leave you with new ideas, skills, perspectives, or inspiration you can take back into your own work. Season 3 will feature 10 episodes, released weekly. And for the first time, you'll be able to watch the conversations as well as listen. Subscribe and follow Designing in the Wild so you don't miss the new season. Let's get after it. Have ideas or just want to say hi, shoot me a note. Support the show

    We're BACK! Industrial Design, Biomimicry & More: Designing in the Wild Season 3 (Trailer) | S3E01

  6. 05/01/2024

    #012 Season 2: Robert Irwin - Senior Industrial Designer, Founder of LearnIndustrialDesign.com, Principal Sustainability Consultant at irwindesigned

    Senior Industrial Designer Rob Irwin charts two decades of sustainable practice, from biomimetic lawn-dart redesigns to net-zero houses with $12 power bills. Along the way he demystifies lifecycle thinking: extraction, processing, manufacturing, distribution, use, upgrades, end-of-life, and transport. Rob critiques the limits of current LCA tools—“CO₂ is not the whole story”—and spotlights hidden health impacts like polyester microfibers. He closes with a challenge to designers: treat environmental criteria as a primary design requirement, right alongside cost, form, and function. Have ideas or just want to say hi, shoot me a note. Support the show

    #012 Season 2: Robert Irwin - Senior Industrial Designer, Founder of LearnIndustrialDesign.com, Principal Sustainability Consultant at irwindesigned

  7. 09/28/2023

    #011 Season 2: Jason Belaire - IDSA Chair(2021-2022) | Belworld Creative, INC. Talks of living abroad, childhood abuse, empathy, social projects around the world, and sustainability

    In this episode we speak to Jason Belaire about being different, cultural shock, designing amidst new cultures, sustainability, and the need for more to be educated on the direct impact the industrial design profession has on our environment, communities, and thought process. Have ideas or just want to say hi, shoot me a note. Support the show

    #011 Season 2: Jason Belaire - IDSA Chair(2021-2022) | Belworld Creative, INC. Talks of living abroad, childhood abuse, empathy, social projects around the world, and sustainability

  8. 03/01/2022

    #010: Andre Brown - Principal Engineer on Amazon's Transportation Sustainability Team - Digital vs. Physical Prototyping, Creating Flat Hierarchies within Teams, Innovating Faster, Designing in Virtual Reality, Eggs and Vacuum Cleaners, Procedural Desig

    Digital vs. Physical: When to Prototype—and When to Simulate Andre Brown, Principal Engineer on Amazon’s Transportation Sustainability team (and former Shark/Dyson R&D lead), joins Rob to unpack the art of knowing which problems need cardboard, which need CFD, and which belong in VR. From drag-cutting truck fairings and crowd-sourced race-car CAD to Dyson’s “egg-inspired” robot vacuum, Andre shows why flat hierarchies, cross-discipline sketch-offs, and procedural design tools accelerate innovation. If you juggle human factors, aerodynamics, and sustainability, this episode is your playbook. Have ideas or just want to say hi, shoot me a note. Support the show

    #010: Andre Brown - Principal Engineer on Amazon's Transportation Sustainability Team - Digital vs. Physical Prototyping, Creating Flat Hierarchies within Teams, Innovating Faster, Designing in Virtual Reality, Eggs and Vacuum Cleaners, Procedural Desig
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About

Designing in the Wild is the podcast where industrial designers, inventors, and changemakers reveal how they turn messy, real-world constraints into market-ready solutions. Each episode unpacks the mindsets, methods, and aha-moments behind sustainable innovation—whether it’s re-thinking plastics, hacking circular supply chains, or simply sketching faster under pressure. If you’re passionate about design’s role in a resilient future (and can’t resist a good behind-the-scenes story), this is your campfire. “Real-world design stories for a world that needs better ones.”

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